People Seeking Asylum, not ‘Illegals’

Catholic Religious Australia, of which the Society of the Sacred Heart Australia New Zealand Province is a member, signed this letter to Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The letter was signed by 138 community organisations and faith groups who object to the Australian government’s decision to refer to asylum seekers who enter Australia by boat as ‘illegal maritime arrivals.’ Signatories include the Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office, the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, the justice and peace organisations of several Catholic dioceses, and a number of religious institutes.